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Steelers GM talks Le'Veon Bell's contract, effect on others'

Updated February 15, 2018 at 2:02 PM;Posted February 15, 2018 at 1:57 PM

Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell is looking for a multi-year contract extension this offseason, which will reshape the team's salary cap situation and the contract prospects of his teammates.
Here, Bell is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Frank Zombo (51) during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)(Ed Zurga)

PITTSBURGH -- The size and timing of a Le'Veon Bell contract can affect and even end those of some fellow Steelers.

Bell and the team have both said they want a multi-year deal for the star running back. General manager Kevin Colbert repeated as much on Thursday, saying that while he wouldn't rule out the franchise tag that would give Bell and the team an extra four months to negotiate exclusively, he prefers locking Bell in for the rest of his career this offseason.

Throughout his 20-minute sitdown with local reporters on Thursday, Colbert emphasized that the 2018 salary cap figures are unknown, the free agent market is fluid and that as a result the team can't definitively answer if it has enough room under that cap to sign Bell a month before free agency opens. Regardless, Colbert said, it's possible Steelers lose their jobs in Pittsburgh as the club tries to get and stay under the cap.

"That's always a possibility when we try to get this cap," Colbert said. "That is always a possibility when you are trying to get your team better in a under-the-cap situation."

A multi-year deal would most likely cost the Steelers less against the cap than a franchise tag, which would be at least $14.54 million. Pittsburgh has a projected $7.6 million of 2018 cap space, according to OverTheCap.com.

The NFL releases salary caps for the upcoming season ahead of free agency, which begins March 14.

Colbert said that though he thought Bell and the team were close to an agreement on a multi-year deal before last season, 2018 negotiations don't pick up where they left off. Pittsburgh's salary cap is tighter this year following the late-preseason signings of Joe Haden, Vance McDonald and J.J. Wilcox.

And while the Steelers do have all 11 of their 2017 defensive starters under contract for 2018, Colbert noted crucial fluctuations in performance.

"Some guys are still on the upswing, some guys are in their prime, and some guys are still playing but they might be on the downside, doesn't mean they still can't help you but they might not be the player they were before," Colbert said.

Pittsburgh wants Bell to finish his career a Steeler. Colbert said so Thursday and Art Rooney II has been saying the same since last winter.

But while the Steelers reshuffle for Bell and another Super Bowl push in 2018, the contracts of current Pittsburgh players stand in doubt.

Said Colbert: "That is always a possibility when you are trying to get your team better in a under-the-cap situation."